How to get from Vientiane to Bangkok
Why visit Bangkok?
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!
Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren’t the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.
What are the 5 ways to travel from Vientiane to Bangkok?
There are 5 ways to travel the 650 kilometre (404 miles) distance from Vientiane to Bangkok. You can choose between the bus, minivan, train, flight and bus + train. The journey takes 1 hour to 1 day 2 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus + train with tickets starting at 287 THB ($8.90).
Where to stay in Bangkok?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Bangkok at the bottom of this page.
Vientiane to Bangkok by Flight
Taking a flight from Vientiane to Bangkok is the fastest option for this route. Travel time takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. However, this option is also the most expensive, with fares starting from 2,300 THB ($71).
AirAsia usually offers the cheapest flights on this route. Other airlines that operate flights from Vientiane to Bangkok are Thai Smiles, Thai Airways, and Lao Airlines, which are more expensive flights.
All flights depart from Vientiane Airport (VTE). You can reach the airport by shuttle bus or by taxi, which takes 15-35 minutes from the Vientiane city centre.
AirAsia flights land at Don Muang Airport (DMK). Meanwhile Thai Smiles, Thai Airways, and Lao Airlines land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Both airports are located around 1 hour from Bangkok city centre.
We suggest booking your flight in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure you get the cheapest tickets.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Vientiane to Bangkok by Train
The direct train from Vientiane to Bangkok is fairly new and started operating only last July 2024. It will be a long train journey at around 15 hours. But the train operates overnight so you can spend half that time sleeping.
You can choose from different kinds of train seats — from 3rd class fan seats to first class beds. Prices start from 594 THB ($18.40).
Departure and arrival station
Most companies offer hotel pick-up from Vientiane. But if you want to get to the train station on your own, trains depart from the newly-built Vientiane Railway Station in Khamsavath, 6 km from the city centre.
The arrival point in Bangkok is at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, some 9 km north of the tourist centre.
Train options from Vientiane to Bangkok
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Vientiane to Bangkok by Bus + Train
If you don’t want to sit on the same train for 15 hours straight, you have the option to take a combined bus and train from Vientiane to Bangkok. Prices start at 287 THB ($8.90).
The journey takes around 9 hours 35 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes.
Step 1: Vientiane to Nong Khai by Bus
Soutchai Travel and Vientiane City 2 Bus Service offer daily trips from Vientiane to Nong Khai. The trip takes about 1-2h and prices start from 30,000 LAK ($1.40).
When taking the bus, make sure to have all your immigration documents prepared in advance.
Soutchai Travel includes a free hotel pickup. Vientiane City 2 Bus Service departs from Vientiane Bus Station, near Morning Market and just 5-10 minutes away from the Vientiane city centre.
For Vientiane City 2 Bus Service, you can buy tickets at the bus station. Ticket counters are open from 06:00 until 18:00 in the evening.
The last stop for the bus is Nong Khai Bus Terminal. From here, you can take a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride to Nong Khai Train Station for 60 THB ($1.90).
Depending on which bus you take, you may have to wait a few hours for your connecting train to Bangkok. This waiting time allows you to grab something to eat and load up on snacks for the long train ride.
Step 2: Nong Khai to Bangkok by Train
The next part of the journey is a train ride that takes 8h 35m - 11h 30m from Nong Khai to Bangkok. We recommend taking the night train with second-class berths and an air conditioning unit so that you can rest comfortably. You will also save a night on accommodation with this night train.
Trains depart from Nong Khai Railway Station. Ticket fares start from 242 THB ($7.50).
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Trains arrive at Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Aside from second-class sleeper berths, you can also book 2nd class seats and 1st class berths.
Make sure that all bookings you made for your Vientiane to Bangkok trip are aligned so that you won’t miss a trip or wait too long for the next transport.
Vientiane to Bangkok by Bus
You can ride a bus if you want a direct transfer from Vientiane to Bangkok. The journey takes about 14 hours 30 minutes to 16 hours 30 minutes and the fare starts from 1,114 THB ($34.50). Family Service, Soutchai Travel and Khao San Tara Tour are the bus companies that operate from Vientiane to Bangkok.
Soutchai Travel offers cheap fares but takes a long travel time from Vientiane to Bangkok. But the good part is that you don’t have to worry about going to the bus station because they offer a free hotel pick-up service within the city centre.
Soutchai Travel completes its journey at the Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok. If you will ride a taxi, it will take around 20-30 minutes to reach the city centre from the bus station.
Bus Schedule from Vientiane to Bangkok
Upon arrival at the border, you will need to get off the bus and go through Laos immigration to receive your exit stamp. Once complete, you will board your bus and continue on to the Thailand border immigration.
At the Thailand border, you will need to get off the bus again and go through immigration to receive your visa and have your passport stamped. Be sure to have all your documents prepared in advance.
Vientiane to Bangkok by Minivan
A minivan ride from Vientiane to Bangkok costs around 1,301 THB ($40.50). The minivan journey takes about 1 day 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Sarah Transport operates on this route.
Minivan schedule from Vientiane to Bangkok
Best places to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a big and bustling city with each neighbourhood offering something different to the next. Covering nearly 1600 km² and offering over a thousand accommodation options, it can be slightly daunting picking where to stay. Here is a quick rundown of our favourite areas to stay in Bangkok:
- Khao San Road — is one of the most famous areas in Bangkok, known for its party reputation. This area attracts a lot of backpackers that are looking for cheap accommodation and a place to party.
- Sukhumvit — has a more relaxed nightlife, centred around sophisticated restaurants and rooftop bars as opposed to travellers dancing on tables. It’s a great jumping-off point to explore the jam-packed city, thanks to the good connections via public transport.
- Riverside — along the Chao Phraya River, you’ll find an area rich in history and culture, hosting many of the popular sights of Bangkok, including the Royal Palace and Wat Pho – the Reclining Buddha.
Check out our favourite accommodations in Bangkok:
dusitD2 Samyan - Treating Yourself
dusitD2 Samyan is one of the most unique hotels in Bangkok with its tiered appearance overlooking the city. You can take a refreshing dip in their sky swimming pool and enjoy the panoramic views. Or head to the gym and take them in whilst working up a sweat.
The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel create a bright and modern feel. The rooms are stunning, and decorated to an extremely high standard. This is one of the best hotels in Bangkok.
- One of the coolest buildings in Bangkok
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Onsite gym
- Bright and modern rooms
King rooms start from $110 per night.
The One Smart Living - Treating Yourself
The One Smart Living offers incredible value for money. The rooms are beautiful and feel extremely luxurious. You won’t want to leave your room it’s so nice!
It’s a great choice if you want to be close to the airport, but not so close that you’re constantly hearing planes above your head. The staff are incredibly helpful and super friendly. It’s hard to fault this place.
- Great value for money
- Close to the airport
- Helpful staff
- Beautiful rooms
Double rooms start from $50 per night.
Naga Residence - Mid Range
Naga Residence feels less like a hotel and more like a home — just a very beautifully designed home that’s exceptionally clean. The rooms are very spacious and all of them have a private balcony overlooking the city.
There’s also an onsite gym, garden and terrace area for you to enjoy. And when you venture out of the hotel there are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes nearby.
- Huge rooms
- Exceptionally clean
- Private balcony
- Onsite gym
Double rooms start from $37 per night.
Phranakorn-Nornlen - Mid Range
It will be hard to find another hotel in Bangkok like Phranakorn-Nornlen. This hotel is like a piece of art, with every room decorated differently and boasting a unique theme. Make sure to pick your room wisely.
The staff takes your stay here to another level. They are incredibly friendly and helpful. They’ll give you great recommendations for the local neighbourhood which is full of cosy cafes and local restaurants.
- Unique design and rooms
- Incredible staff
- Nice local neighbourhood
- Very clean
Double rooms start from $33 per night.
Greenery Hostel - Budget Friendly
As you’ve probably already guessed, Greenery Hostel has a green theme both inside and outside. It actually creates a really tranquil vibe inside a busy city.
The rooms are simple but great value for money. Plus there are nice chill-out spaces throughout the hostel with a swing, games and comfy chairs. It’s in a great location, close to lots of Bangkok’s attractions.
- Great value for money
- Relaxing chill-out areas
- Good location
- Free cancellation
Private rooms start from $21 per night.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Vientiane to Bangkok. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Vientiane to Bangkok
What is the distance from Vientiane to Bangkok?
The distance from Vientiane to Bangkok is 650 kilometre (404 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Bangkok?
The fastest way to get from Vientiane to Bangkok is by flight and takes 1 hour.
What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Bangkok?
The cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Bangkok is by bus + train with ticket costs starting from 287 THB ($8.90).
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
